Annual Statewide Certified Peer Specialist Awards Ceremony June 30th 2025

In recognition of the vital role a Certified Peer Specialist plays in the mental health system, The Kiva Centers is pleased to present this annual awards ceremony to acknowledge the work being done in our communities by these professionals.

Certified Peer Specialists are trained professionals who use their own lived experience to partner with, provide mutual support, advocate with, and/or support individuals to achieve the life that they want. CPSs also navigate the mental health system while maintaining their peerness, often contributing to important changes in creating a better system for all. 

The Kiva Centers aims to recognize Certified Peer Specialists who have demonstrated stellar work providing Peer Support, Being In But Not Of The System or Being A Change Agent, and we need your help.

Please use this form to nominate a Certified Peer Specialist who you know has excelled in one of the award categories. You do not have to have a nomination for all 3 categories in order to submit this form.

Below are a few things to keep in mind when nominating an individual for one of the awards. The person should have:

1. Demonstrated commitment to the peer support model and promote trauma healing and mental health recovery.
2. Positive impact on the lives of individuals receiving peer support services.
3. Ability to establish strong relationships with individuals and provide effective support for them.
4. Ability to effectively communicate and collaborate with healthcare professionals and treatment providers.
5. Active involvement in the peer support community, including peer support groups and advocacy efforts.
6. Dedication to ongoing professional development and continuing education in the field of mental health and peer support.
7. Positive attitude and approach to their work, inspiring hope and promoting resilience in individuals.
8. Demonstrated leadership and advocacy for the peer support model, both within their own organization and in the broader mental health community.
9. Ability to adapt to challenging situations and provide effective support to people in all stages of their wellness path.
10. Commitment to ethical and responsible practice, including confidentiality and a dedication to human rights.

Change Agent Award: This award seeks to recognize CPSs who used their lived experience and tools learned as a CPS to inspire changes in their organizations and or community. Who brought about new practices, approaches and or language while welcoming their agencies, communities and colleagues to adopt a more person centered practice for their peers.

In But Not of the System Award: This award aims to recognize CPSs who have been working in the mental health system while being true to the peer values. Who embraced their peerness in all settings. Who conducted themselves within the guidelines of the CPS Code of Ethics, including but not limited to the use of Human Experience Language, and mutuality even in situations where such approach was challenging.

 

Peer Support Award: The Peer Support award aims to recognize CPSs who used their own lived experiences in a productive way to support others in achieving what they want most in life. They uphold the values and ethics of being a peer by allowing people to create their self-determined path to recovery. They provide peer support by staying out of the fixer role while being with, doing with, and listening to the people they are supporting.